Ranking EVERY Ian Fleming James Bond Novel | Worst to Best

[@johnsimmons831]

Reading the books in order, I pictured Bond as Tim Dalton at the beginning of the series with him morphing into Sean Connery in later novels.

[@fSebastianRe]

what about Rodger Moore or Daniel Craig?

[@Blokewood3]

The only one I've read is Thunderball, but I remember I tended to picture Bond as Connery, but when I read Bond's dialogue I always imagined Moore's voice.

[@S.M.Jean-Mahmoud_Ier]

Reading Casino Royale makes me realize how Niven looked the part...

[@SolarDragon007]

I picture the Literary Bond as looking like a young Jason Issacs.

[@mariusmatei2946]

Yep, in terms of looks, and demeanor exhibited in the films, Sean Connery, and Timothy Dalton come across as the most authentic impersonations of (Ian Fleming's) "James Bond"; it is such a shame that the makers/producers of the (James Bond) films haven't followed the order/sequence of the books (as written by Ian Fleming), but, instead, have made/released them in an order resembling a lottery-style draw/pick!

[@JoaoPessoa86]

I still think we need a straight adaptation of the Moonraker plot, especially with current events where they are

[@nihits]

after spy who loved me, moonraker, goldeneye and die another day?

[@davidbanan.]

@@nihits what?, seriously please explain what youve said makes no sense

[@limedickandrew6016]

I've only read the first three Bonds, Casino Royale, Live and Let Die and Moonraker. The last two could be remade as movies and would be very different (particularly Moonraker) from the two movies we know so well.

[@crobeastness]

Let me guess, he never goes to space? Why is it called Moonraker though?

[@kamilmukos9113]

@@crobeastnessMoonraker was nuclear weapon, not space ship Thats biggest diffrence out of 100 others

[@russiandrago821]

I haven’t read all of the 007 novels yet but I have such a deep love for Casino Royale! The premise is so simple but is still incredibly engaging and tense, it was also such a surreal peak into the 50s (more so than successive entries imo) despite it being through the eyes of an entirely fictitious character. It’s cozily antique and I adored it at every word.

[@Anonymous-o8j]

Fun Fact: In the Casino Royale novel, the casino game they played was Baccarat. In the Craig movie, this was changed to Texas Hold ‘Em poker because it was more popular when the film was made.

[@willman85]

Yeah, me too, It's one of my fave books of all time!

[@christopherbennett4334]

I've been a Bond film fan most of my life but never read the books, yet have always wanted to. This review has spurned me on to finally read them all👍🏻 Great review.

[@johnrigs6540]

Calvin,you have just done a magnificent job reviewing these novels! These reviews have been so detailed insightful and brilliant that I’m sure you have introduced Fleming to a brand new generation of fans that only know Bond from the movies. I’m sure the Fleming Estate also appreciates what you have done. Now that I’m remembering some of these stories thanks to your reviews,I think there are lots of great sequences and moments that they still have not put into the films!!

[@calvindyson]

Wow, thanks, John! REALLY appreciate that! If I've contributed anything to the promotion of the Fleming books then I'm very pleased. Not going to lie, I was partly apprehensive about coming to them myself for so long but once I finally started, I finished them all in just under 12 months, they were quite addictive!!

[@johnrigs6540]

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond I think it’s great that you have helped people remember where this entire thing began-14 novels that set the stage not only for many of today’s modern thrillers but also the entire action movie genre that really began with the 007 movies. It’s really amazing to see the influence that Ian Fleming has had on everything from today’s novels and films to tv and even video games, All starting with one guy sitting alone with great imagination and a typewriter!

[@davidjames579]

@@calvindyson Yeah well done Calvin! I too undertook the Fleming Marathon a couple of years ago, and was surprised how quickly I got through them. And I restricted myself to only reading them on Mon-Fri train commutes!

[@keithtam19]

Love the ranking , my all time favorite is on her majesty's secret service

[@ethanwalker4229]

Same with me I really liked it.

[@ChiefCoralcola]

Mine too! I actually read it even before I had the chance to see the film, even though I had seen all the rest of the films, and it positively affected my perception of the film too. Else, I think Calvin’s list is pretty good: 😁

[@menkomonty]

I usually read a Bond book when I take my nephews to their local library and I've just started to read Moonraker. Good to know that I'm in for a good read.

[@jazzx251]

Moonraker is awesome! :)

[@williamhosp701]

I started reading these stories as a teenager after Dr. No came out in the cinema and it was a mixed feeling for me to see the movies start to take more and more license in their adaptations until in some cases the titles and Bond were all the films had in common with the originals.

[@louisjarnott3953]

You should do top ten bond book covers there are some really cool ones!

[@jacobkilby]

What would the remit be for this? First editions? Currently in print? Or something different...

[@WH250398]

The Dutch releases by "Zwarte Beertjes" look absolutely awful... It is litterally a hand holding a cheap airsoft pistol.

[@juliabrnssr]

I'd personally go for the Signet editions that came out in the mid 60's. Simple yet Elegant. images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519Sytef9qL._SX314_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg Then again there are some pretty good art work for these books.

[@celeste1823]

For me, it'd be pretty much any of the Michael Gillette ones letsgetvisualvisual.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/mock-bond-girls.jpg

[@BenCol]

The latest Vintage editions go for a more minimalist style, but they’re quite stylish. I especially like the red, white and blue of OHMSS.

[@michaelturner735]

Well done. I’ve read and re-read Fleming’s Bond over the years and still find them good fun. I can’t argue too much your analysis and was pleasantly surprised by your #1, which I think is a greatly underrated novel. I think Kingsley Amis said it was his favorite, too, and it had the best written villain.

[@jameshunter2516]

My list: On her majesty's secret service Dr No You only live twice Moonraker From Russia with love Casino Royale Thunderball Goldfinger The man with the golden gun For your eyes only Diamonds are Forever The spy who loved me Live and Let Die Octopussy and the living daylights

[@calvindyson]

James Hunter Great list! Happy to see another YOLT fan too 😁😁

[@mattandriolli]

I am planning on reading all of thosehabut I've only read Casino Royale. What do you guys think is the best reading order?

[@malvolio01]

Live and Let Die? #13? You have to be kidding. Definite top 5.

[@itzheraldo]

@@malvolio01 yeah, i dont know why people hated it, I loved it.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

​@@itzheraldosame!

[@rampageclover9788]

I’ve got the original editions from the 50’s and 60’s that my grandad bought brand new at the time and that dad wasn’t allowed to read as a kid (they were too violent apparently). Massive dopamine hit - especially reading from something that’s physically 60 years old and pre-dates the movies...

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

Congrats on finally making it through the Fleming pantheon. The stories change a bit over time and grow with you. It especially helps if you do a yearly reread of the series. Then you go into full fandom mode and reread every continuation novel in order...or maybe that’s just me! Some are great, some are fun, some are insane and some are dreadful.

[@kierankelleher007]

Great list. The books are terrific. You’re really trying your best with these videos. Especially with the wait for April and NTTD. Good job.

[@N0-0n3]

"The wait for April"...

[@Rhubba]

I agree, Moonraker is a great Bond novel. I wish more of the novel had made its way into the movie.

[@dereklewis4321]

When they took the title to literal for the movie....at least the villain is great in the film.

[@itzheraldo]

moonraker was the best one

[@ttaker4850]

My favourite so far - I can’t believe how completely different the film is to the book. The book was fantastic. The movie felt like it tried to jump on the starwars sci-fi bandwagon and it wasn’t great…

[@sakuranippon4434]

Now I’m really glad I got Moonraker in a Dublin bookshop when I found a shelf of the Ian Fleming Bond books

[@Brownhawke]

Moonraker is also the one I recommend to first time readers. Perfectly crafted story.

[@adamjackson7962]

I think the best-written one is FRWL but my personal favourite is OHMSS

[@calvindyson]

Both of them are phenominal bits of work. FRWL is a really well crafted thriller!

[@markreeter6227]

FRWL was one of JFKs favorite books and was the last movie he screened before his assassination in Nov 1963.

[@itzheraldo]

I think the best written was OHMSS but my personal favourite is Moonraker

[@Currymunch-xb2vu]

Live and Let die was so brilliant! I can't believe it was so low!

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Same, it's really good in the last 3rd if the book, that underwater trek was fantastic and Mr Big was a top tier villain

[@rockingjamie]

I was surprised at how good a book Moonraker was. Very possibly because the film was just so fantastical and over the top and well, silly. I was also quite surprised ay how utterly gripped i was with the gambling chapters in it, despite being in no way a gambler myself. I would really love to see a modern film version which is true to the book, more as a curio than anything else.

[@LeonWick526]

Now that you've read all the Fleming Bond novels, you sure do have a Master's Degree in James Bond Calvin! I felt the same way after I read all of the novels. All fans of thriller novels should read this series. No one writes a thriller better than Ian Fleming.

[@andyford3179]

The blofeld trilogy is just sublime for me !

[@RobertK1993]

Connery should have done the Blofeld Trilogy book order.

[@MA-rf6bu]

@@RobertK1993 the blofeld trilogy doesn’t fit Connery, he can’t pull off a broken emotional bond like george lazenby or daniel craig

[@dudleymq]

Great reviews! I also loved Moonraker -- the card game scene itself is so suspenseful I would revisit the book just for that passage!

[@awesomedudesinc]

From Russia With Love was the first 007 book i read when i was a teenager. I have not read all the books, but i sorted the books i do have into 3 individual trilogies. The SMERSH trilogy 1)Casino Royale 2)Live And Let Die 3)From Russia With Love Evil villain trilogy 1)Moonraker 2)Dr No 3)Goldfinger Blofeld trilogy 1)Thunderball 2)On Her Majestys Secret Service 3) You Only Live Twice

[@gabrielledebourg2487]

It was ten years since I read Dr. No, but I still remember so much of it so vividly. It was just a book that totally gripped me in it's storytelling, being exciting from page one through the end. Especially the part in the swamp was just so suspenseful that it was impossible to put the book down during those passages. I can really see how it earned the place on your list (and that I need to read Moonraker).

[@calvindyson]

Oh yes Moonraker is a must read! Dr No is fantastic too though. Really fun read!

[@davidjames579]

I first, partially read Dr No, crouched on one leg in a book shop. Had to give up as I got cramp! But I didn't want to. Sadly I was too young to afford it then.

[@chrisb2116]

TB and GF definitely improve when reading out of order. DAF... I’d put it over TMWTGG, OP and TSWLM. Having said that I do remember it being a tough read... I should probably try again. I agree Tiffany and Specterville are great. I think CR, which is not in my top 4 either, is just perfect book though, no weak parts and just a great tight, tough story. I’m glad you’re promoting Fleming too... a lot of Bond fans are woefully ignorant of the source and as you say correctly, Bond is Fleming and Fleming, Bond. I would go even further to make sure people get it, the World of James Bond is Fleming, the villains, the henchmen, the plots, the cars, the gadgets, the girls... it’s all Fleming. I love the movies but in reality the only thing they “added” was the gun barrel and the title songs/credits... the rest is Fleming (and parody of Fleming).

[@archer1949]

The beginning of TMWTGG would make one of the best pre-credit sequences ever.

[@davidbanan.]

Yes

[@brenoramosmosso]

It would make a good sequel to the next Bond Movie.

[@thewickerman4083]

Really enjoyed that Calvin. Moonraker is an awesome read and so completely different from the film. Moonraker the film is my guilty pleasure Bond film but it would be very interesting to see how good the book version would be as a film. Keep up the great work.

[@spyboy1964]

Top five bond novels most faithfully adapted to the big screen in descending order: 1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service 2. From Russia With Love 3. Thunderball 4. Casino Royale 5. Goldfinger

[@Tadicuslegion78]

I read them all except The Spy who loved me, couldn’t find a copy and decided it wasn’t worth it. What surprised me the most was Moonraker and OHMSS are my absolute favorites. And how Ian Fleming didn’t feel the need to churn out bloated 1000 page bricks and instead has a lean fast focused pacing to its writing, and a kind of red meat masculinity that was a breath of fresh air to me.

[@samharrison5058]

This is an original list. Good job man.

[@calvindyson]

Thanks, Sam :D

[@samharrison5058]

Calvin Dyson Reviews Bond no problem always enjoy your videos.

[@thomasrude4512]

You’re totally right about Moonraker! The first and last thirds of that book are best character and action work of Flemings’ respectively. Keep up the good work and bye for now.

[@davidbanan.]

Moonrake is truely a fantastic peice of work, really amazing, thought the first part was just a tiny (extreamly tiny so) dull, the card game was good, the book for me peaked before the cliff "fall" happened, and then the end was quite slow imo, prob cuz i was at a time crunch

[@scottlinting6308]

I read all these books when I was 11. They were my Grandpa's. Now I have my own set and I'm reading them all over as a 48 yr old. I just finished Casino Royale and I would agree with your assessment of Bond in that novel.

[@Llewellyn2844]

Fleming is an excellent writer---one of the most underrated prose stylists of the late 20th Century. He wrote in a "hyper-journalist" style, combined with the metaphorical style of Raymond Chandler (whom Fleming greatly admired) and the travelogue style of Patrick Leigh Fermor (who is quoted by name in "Live and Let Die"). Almost all the Bond books are well worth reading, just for the pleasure of Fleming's lucid, elegant prose. It's worth noting that Anthony Burgess chose "Goldfinger" as an entry in his long essay, "Ninety-Nine Novels: The Best in English since 1939" (which also includes Raymond Chandler's "The Long Goodbye").

[@chrisb2116]

I also want to say I have LOVED these Fleming book reviews. You have done an awesome job and I’m sad to see this ‘chapter’ end. I love Fleming’s books and you’ve been honest and heartfelt in your critique and praise. It’s always been crazy to me that I love James Bond and that there’s not just one great book, but multiple great books. I’m looking forward to your continuation novel reads... many I found entertaining but none on par with Fleming. I will definitely read or reread ones you recommend though. 14. Octopussy, TLD 13. The Man With the Golden Gun 12. The Spy Who Loved Me 11. Diamonds Are Forever 10. Goldfinger 09. Live and Let Die O8. Thunderball 07. You Only Live Twice 06. For Your Eyes Only 05. Casino Royale 04. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 03. From Russia With Love 02. Dr. No 01. Moonraker

[@kotowaza-sensei428]

You should do a top 2 : Vodka Martini, shaken or stirred?

[@holydiver73]

I have a 1st edition of OHMSS, no dust cover though sadly, so not worth as much as it could have been. I agree with your view that it is a masterpiece. It would be my desert island Fleming book that’s for sure

[@undeadmetalhead794]

I just started reading through the books myself, finishing up Live and Let Die, waiting on Moonraker in the mail. Can't wait to read it!

[@jonathonriddle9922]

I started reading these in random order as they became available at my library. Of the ones I've read, my favorite is You Only Live Twice, followed by Moonraker. I stopped reading the series as a whole part-way through Diamonds Are Forever. With your encouragement, I may pick the series up once again. Your videos certainly raise my enthusiasm!

[@wildsmiley]

Sad to hear about Diamonds Are Forever. I was hoping it was wildly better than the film. But it’s great to hear about Moonraker. I’m currently listening to the audiobook on KZbin.

[@calvindyson]

I need to check out the audiobooks actually, I hear they're very good! I'd still recommend reading Diamonds Are Forever, you might get more out of it than me!

[@cbowser3]

10:43 I just finished reading Thunderball out of order with the rest of the novels, and I didn’t find any of that fatigue. That was just my personal experience though.

[@Apropinquante]

1. On Her Majest's Secret Service 2. You Only Live Twice 3. Fron Russia With Love 4. Dr. No 5. Casino Royale 6. Live And Let Die 7. Thunderball 8. For Your Eyes Only 9. Moonraker 10. Goldfinger 11. Dimonds Are Forever 12. Octopussy And The Living Daylights 13. The Spy Who Loved Me 14. The Man With The Golden Gun

[@itzheraldo]

Moonraker on the 9th? Seriously?

[@Apropinquante]

@@itzheraldo Yes, I read a translation in Portuguese.

[@itzheraldo]

@@Apropinquante I respect ur opinion but for me, Moonraker was the best one

[@Apropinquante]

James Bond doesn't get a girl at the end. It would be an interesting film due to the suspense, but as a book the adventure is missing.

[@thepenultimateninja5797]

I bought Goldfinger from what was almost certainly the same second hand book shop in Howarth! Small world!

[@shawnkarg3794]

Having read all the Flemming novels, OHMSS is my personal favorite. I think it would be amazing if EON productions did a series of the original material as period pieces directly adapted from the novels and short stories.

[@brandonacevedo9574]

How do you rank the novels?

[@shawnkarg3794]

@@brandonacevedo9574 They vary quite a bit in terms of quality, and are very grounded in the era when they were written. Bond comes off as an extremely different character compared to the films, so it's interesting to read them if you liked the EON movies. However, I wouldn't say you're missing out if you haven't read them.

[@endy7432]

i gotta say after seeing this i couldn’t agree less with Diamonds Are Forever being at the bottom, i found it so very thrilling and it has for my money the best portrayal of bonds relationship with death with the whole ”nothing is forever except for what you did to me” thing with Wint near the end

[@berjtekerian702]

A really good exploration of all of the books and a very well thought out list. Thank you. Completely agree about Moonraker. Disagree about Diamonds and Live and Let Die! Oh well! Keep up the brilliant content!

[@brandobatel]

I love From Russia with Love. That ending had me so shook. To me that is the definitive Bond Novel

[@665nachbarderbestie]

Leonardo DiCaprio going into Cillian Murphy... that one made me giggle because I'm five, apparently...

[@davidjames579]

@@simond7225 Inception: A XXX Porn Parody. That's not something you'd expect to see.

[@BenCol]

Just got back from a walking holiday in Snowdonia where I had no wi-fi to find this waiting for me - nothing better to watch as I put my weary feet up!

[@grahameedwards7972]

Enjoyable video. I had the still life series in the 1970's and apart from the first hardbacks my favourite covers. I bought all 14 a few years ago, a mixture of modern paperback reissues, one rarish 60's book club edition of The Spy who loved me and a rare hardback edition of Dr No. It took me about 3 months to get through a series of books I hadn't read since for decades, enjoyed the lot. So for what it's worth here's my ranking from worst to best. 14, Octopussy 13, The Spy who loved me 12, The Man with the Golden 11. Goldfinger 10, For your eyes only 9, Diamonds are forever 8, Live and Let Die 7, Casino Royale 6, Dr No 5, You only live twice 4, Thunderball 3, Moonraker 2, On Her Majesties Secret Service 1, From Russia with Love

[@brenoramosmosso]

My Ranking 1. Dr. No 2. From Russia With Love 3. You Only Live Twice 4. On Her Majestiy's Secret Service 5. Casino Royale 6. Live And Let Die 7. Moonraker 8. Thunderball 9. Diamonds Are Forever 10. Goldifinger 11. The Spy Who Loved Me 12. The Man With The Golden Gun

[@MrSuperphil]

My favourite is You Only Live Twice. Its really epic unlike a lot of the others.

[@Matthew-dg6le]

Interested to give these a read now. Only seen the films. Thanks for the reviews Calvin.

[@calvindyson]

Very highly recommended!!

[@MichaelHonscar]

Was happy that The Spy Who Loved Me (My favorite) wasn’t last.

[@pistolsscaramanga3437]

That’s a solid ranking, Calvin. Here is mine: 14) Octopussy & The Living Daylights 13) For Your Eyes Only 12) Diamonds Are Forever 11) Goldfinger 10) The Spy Who Loved Me 9) Live And Let Die 8) Thunderball 7) The Man With The Golden Gun 6) Dr. No 5) Casino Royale 4) Moonraker 3) On Her Majesty’s Secret Service 2) From Russia, With Love 1) You Only Live Twice Colonel Sun I would put somewhere in the middle of this list. It’s a really good one. Just for kicks, here is my ranking of the John Gardner books (excluding Licence To Kill and GoldenEye): 14) Brokenclaw 13) C.O.L.D. (aka Cold Fall) 12) Role Of Honour 11) Seafire 10) Icebreaker 9) Scorpius 8) Licence Renewed 7) No Deals, Mr. Bond 6) Never Send Flowers 5) The Man From Barbarossa 4) For Special Services 3) Win, Lose Or Die 2) Nobody Lives For Ever 1) Death Is Forever Death Is Forever is easily my favorite of the Gardners and up there with the best Fleming novels (in my opinion).

[@calvindyson]

Thanks for this! Particularly the Gardner ranking! I'm very much looking forward to getting into those... Also love to see that you're a YOLT fan too!

[@DM-kv9kj]

1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service 2. From Russia With Love 3. Casino Royale 4. Dr No 5. Moonraker 6. You Only Live Twice 7. Thunderball 8. For Your Eyes Only 9. Octopussy & The Living Daylights 10. The Spy Who Loved Me 11. Goldfinger 12. Live and Let Die 13. Diamonds Are Forever 14. The Man With The Golden Gun

[@DeedUNo]

Casino Royale it the first and the best for me- it got the “Fleming effect”

[@FoxMocks]

This is random to ask, I really love how you got that wall of every bond film and I really wanna know how you did that.

[@henr3269]

You can buy it online

[@williamhowe1]

I really love these books.

[@pamelalagree-kanotz6845]

Really enjoyed your excellent review! I started reading JB in high school and am so anxious now to get back into them! Thank you!

[@aaronmastriani1556]

Awesome rankings, man! My top 5 is From Russia with Love, Moonraker, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Thunderball, and Casino Royale.

[@calvindyson]

Aaron Mastriani Thanks, Aaron! Great top 5 as well.

[@deniserose8596]

Great job thank you. A couple of surprises in ranking but great it reflects your love of the subject

[@connormaczee]

Thanks for making this series I went out and bought a few bond books I didn’t have and have read casino royale and moonraker over the summer and absolutely loved them.

[@RediscoveringLostRailways]

Great channel and great video - thank you. Really enjoyed this having undertaken a reading of all these novels. I've also slogged my way through the Gardner novels (diminishing returns there) and I've enjoyed the Amis, Faulks, Horowitz and Boyd efforts a great deal. Gearing up for Benson at some point, but not with much enthusiasm.

[@BenCol]

I’m currently working my way through Gardner and, yeah, “slogged” is definitely the right word. I just finished ‘Win, Lose or Die’ and I think he had already run out of steam several books before. I’m still curious about the one in which he goes to EuroDisney so I’m gonna stick at it until then, and probably afterwards because I’m a completionist sorta fellow.

[@JAMES49442]

I wish they would do a serious film based on "Moonraker" sticking to Flemings novel. It deserves serious treatment.

[@JohnDoe-tm9wz]

I guess I'm one of the few people who actually loves "The Spy Who Loved Me"

[@avaandbella7795]

I thought I was the only one who loved the Hildebrandt Rarity!

[@HoudiniWild]

Well done. Thanks. I'm also a big fan of Moonraker and YOLT. Looking forward to your takes on the continuation novels.

[@williamhosp701]

I think you're right about the rankings, but I must confess that I read them all when I was in high school and it was 55 years ago when I graduated.

[@MattFisherlawvol]

I love your videos and this was another one that was fabulous. One small suggestion for future videos: review some of the Bond novels by John Gardner. Though I realize that-to some-they are “non-canon,” they were approved as official by Fleming’s estate and all. I’ve read every single one and (with only a couple of exceptions) they are truly wonderful. Happy to trade notes with you on these if you decide to give them a read. At any rate, keep up the good work!

[@jameswood9208]

Finally finished all the bond books, really enjoyed your videos. My ranking will be controversial 1 from Russia with love 2 The spy who loved me 3 Casino Royale 4 You only live twice 5 Goldfinger 6 octopussy and the living daylights 7 Moonraker 8 Thunderball 9 On Her majesty's secret service 10 diamonds are forever 11 The man with the golden gun 12 Dr No 13 For your eyes only 14 Live and Let die

[@jammontgomery2320]

Finally, someone puts OHMSS that low, I felt that book is way too overrated. Actually, you're being generous than me, I've put it in #10.

[@thebadfella5296]

*The list:* #14. Diamonds Are Forever - 1:13 #13. The Spy Who Loved Me - 3:36 #12. The Man With The Golden Gun - 5:36 #11. Live And Let Die - 7:35 #10. Thunderball - 9:00 #9. Octopussy and The Living Daylights - 10:56 #8. Goldfinger - 12:53 #7. For Your Eyes Only - 13:58 #6. Casino Royale - 16:23 #5. You Only Live Twice - 18:17 #4. From Russia With Love - 20:05 #3. On Her Majesty's Secret Service - 21:22 #2. Dr. No - 22:36 #1. Moonraker - 24:08

[@howie9751]

I read the books back in the sixties, before I saw the films. From my memory, I liked Goldfinger the best and Dr. No a close second. Special mention to The Spy Who Loved Me as it was different. Also, On Her Majesty's Secret Service was very good. But right now I'm in the middle of reading Dr. No to my wife a chapter a night before going to sleep and I find Fleming's writing to be very, very good. Much better than most of today's writers. And he fleshes out Bond's character better than it was in the movies. I won't know for a while if the other books were as I remembered them.

[@elliotwalton6159]

Maybe because I'm a Canadian who grew up in Toronto around the corner from St. James Bond Church (now condominiums!) across the street from where Ian Flemming lived (reportedly) for a short while, but I really enjoyed The Spy Who Loved Me precisely for it's Canadian setting and female voice (which didn't bother me at all). It's an anomaly, yes, but a welcome and surprising one I thought that puts Flemming, Bond and women in a slightly different light. Quite content for others not to as enamored as I was. To each their own. Live and let die, I say. Thanks for your exposition. I enjoyed it. (And, yes, Moonraker is tops with me. I find it the most fun.)

[@thegameczar]

Calvin, what is your favorite same book/film pair?

[@donjezza10]

Statistically speaking based on his videos, it would be: 17: Quantum Of Solace 16: Thunderball 15: Diamonds Are Forever 14: The Man With The Golden Gun 13: The Living Daylights 12: A View To A Kill 11: For Your Eyes Only 10 - 9: Live and Let Die, Dr. No (Tied) 8 - 7 - 6: The Spy Who Loved Me, Octopussy, From Russia With Love (Tied) 5: You Only Live Twice 4: Goldfinger 3 - 2 - 1: Casino Royale, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Moonraker (Tied)

[@Tadicuslegion78]

So I read about 5 or six of the John Gardner Bond books and Sebastian Falks stand-alone. And can tell you right now the post Fleming bond books are all over the place in quality

[@hitfan2000]

I bought Dr. No at a used book store and I find it to be a very easy and pleasant reading experience. I might get the other “God-Tier” books after I am finishes with this one.

[@davidjames579]

After Calvin's reads of all these, it's got me thinking I'd love it if Eon would honour the books' place in world culture, and do a streaming series of adaptations, in order with each set in the time they were written. I know we've had the movie adaptations, but they were generally changed, done out of order, and were made a significantly long time ago. Unlike Sherlock Holmes which gets loads of adaptations, or Agatha Christie's works for that matter, Bond hasn't been sealed in history on screen faithful to the novels, and if only for academic studying purposes I'd love to see it done. The Bond films can still continue, with original stories. Obviously, Craig's run is separate to all before, and who knows if Bond 26 will be in the Craig canon, or a new one, but by putting the Bond novel stories out there, it would allow the films to be their own thing, and not feel they have to use elements from the books. As for who could play Bond in the streaming series, he may be a bit old now, but I think Greg Wise would have been an excellent Bond, and quite close to Fleming's description. He briefly played a Bond like spy in the first Johnny English film, which gave a preview of him in that role. Again, if starting with Casino Royale, you'd possibly need a younger actor, but Wise comes to mind as a good fit. Ditto, Jeremy Northam.

[@BenCol]

Just wait until 12/8/2034, which is when James Bond enters the public domain in the UK (lifetime plus 70 years). Probably someone will come along and do ‘Ian Fleming’s James Bond’. And probably someone will come along and do ‘James Bond in the 23rd Century’.

[@davidjames579]

@@BenCol Indeed! I bet there will be a string of rubbish quickly produced Bond novels! Now, does this mean film and TV can be made of Bond, or do Eon retain the rights to his presentation on screen?

[@BenCol]

David James I’m not fully sure, but here’s what I (who has had a total of zero lessons on copyright law) have pieced together. If you go to the copyright page of a Bond book printed recently, it says “Copyright Ian Fleming Publications Ltd [year of publication]. James Bond and 007 are registered trademarks of Danjaq LLC used under licence by Ian Fleming Publications Ltd.” Now copyrights expire a certain amount of time after the author’s death (the length of time is different from country to country - usually it’s 50-70 years). However, trademarks don’t expire. As long as the owners can prove the trademark is still in use, they can renew it indefinitely. So, come 2034, any UK publishing house will be able to print an Ian Fleming book without having to ask IFP for permission. However, anyone wanting to create an original work may be hindered by the fact ‘James Bond’ and ‘007’ would still be trademarked by Danjaq, assuming they’re still using their TMs. I think that’s how it is. That being said, there was that unofficial Bond book published in Canada (where the law is lifetime plus fifty years) which seemed to reach the market without problems. But as I said, my knowledge of copyright law isn’t particularly strong, so I’ll gladly stand corrected by anyone who actually knows what they’re talking about. They discussed it in one of the ‘James Bond & Friends’ podcasts so I recommend listening to that.

[@davidjames579]

@@BenCol Thanks! I remember there being a big thing about Alice In Wonderland coming into the public domain around 2007, which is how we got Burton's film and a number of low budget adaptations and re-imaginings (code for we don't have the budget to do it as a period film). But Lewis Carroll died in 1898, so I'd imagine this would have occurred in 1968?

[@BenCol]

David James Can’t say I know too much about that. I do know that, before 1911, copyright law was lifetime plus seven years or 42 years from 1st publication (whichever came later). So Carroll’s book ‘Alice in Wonderland’ would’ve entered PD in 1907.

[@Painter19]

Excellent choice of top 5. Totally agree with Moonraker as No 1, it's the one I read once a year.Its got such great set pieces and is so well written. Great work on the reviews!

[@pczTV]

Sorry, coming in late to your book reviews…. Probably because I just finished a re-read of them for my own video series on both the booze and bullets (guns) that Ian Fleming highlighted in his works. But I love your pov and it mirrors mine. And, dare I say, I actually learned a lot from your reviews even though I just finished reading the novels.

[@BrozzaBond4007]

Awesome Video Calvin! I am currently reading OHMSS I have enjoyed it, I bought YOLT so that’s my next read.. however you and many others have really made me excited to read Moonraker after YOLT

[@aperson22222]

1. _Casino Royale_ (I can't think of any way to improve upon it.) 2. _From Russia With Love_ (A very close second; I didn't _mind_ spending the first third of the book in the USSR, but I kept wondering why we were meeting so very many Chekists, and when the story would start; it probably would have taken the number one spot if that hadn't gone on so long.) 3. _On Her Majesty's Secret Service_ (What a wonderful journey it takes us on.) 4. _You Only Live Twice_ (I have a hard time separating it from its predecessor, even though they're two very different books they pair up so seamlessly,) 5. _Goldfinger_ (based on the strength of its first two thirds only; the final third is so ridiculous that I'm very surprised it's not much lower on my list) 6. _Thunderball_ (I found Domino to be the most erotic heroine in the series. But I like that she had some real backbone, too.) 7. _For Your Eyes Only_ (not going to do the ranking-within-a-ranking, but I like everything except QoS) 8. _Diamonds Are Forever_ (Tiffany is great, Felix is on top form, especially compared with his last appearance, and I rather enjoyed all the quirky little spots they visited. By the way, _The Diamond Smugglers_ isn't really anything to write home about. _Thrilling Cities_ is all right, and you can see all sorts of elements from this book and that book woven throughout.) 9. _Dr No_ (The elements were all there, but somehow never quite clicked for me.) 10. _Octopussy and The Living Daylights_ ("Property of a Lady" was short enough that one good scene was all it needed. "Octopussy" didn't do much for me. "The Living Daylights" is certainly appealing.) 11. _Live and Let Die_ (The most cartoony book, overall. I do like Mr Big though.) 12. _The Man With the Golden Gun_ (I don't care that there were extenuating circumstances, those can only excuse a bad book, not make it better.) 13. _Moonraker_ (It's so boring, I can't imagine what you saw in it) 14. _The Spy Who Loved Me_ (All I can say on its behalf is that I was able to finish it quickly.)

[@thomsboys77]

Honestly, I thought I was the only one to find Moonraker excruciating to read. Nothing thrilling or interesting happens throughout most of the book and Fleming seemed to have adopted a Stephen King-esque style of writing where he goes off on tangents spending full pages of pointless descriptions, like when he rambles on about the different foods and drinks during the Bridge scene which I skimmed over. Normally I’m able to plough through the Bond books, but it took me a good couple weeks to read Moonraker, and I struggled finding motivation to get to the end

[@aperson22222]

thomsboys77 The card room scene was the only one I enjoyed. The combination of exquisitely detailed description of a luxurious setting and Bond needing all his wits and nerves to defeat an adversary is what I read the series for. The rest of the book’s setting is so dull and dreary. Drax-what a clown. I mean, I guess others, like Mr Big and Dr No, have been similarly ridiculous, but they felt intriguing and even frightening. Drax was just a brat.

[@MichaelHonscar]

Seems like I’m in a rare group in liking The Spy Who Loved Me. It always ranks at 1 or 2 for me.

[@androgum]

@@MichaelHonscar I’ll join you in that group. I love it!

[@robertjewell9727]

Sorry to be stopping by your vlog so late, but I quite agree with your listing. I have a personal sentiment for The Spy Who Loved Me only because I like Bond's late appearance and I have tried to write a screenplay getting rid of the bad dialogue, inserting some new ideas and trying make a narrative V approach where two different stories meet seemingly unrelated, but becoming very related as they two stories merge, but keeping Fleming's story and location and boy, is it daunting. My main problem with Fleming's stylistics is his use of the exclamation point in prose. I'll be reading a perfectly good Fleming novel and say loudlybon the bus when I see one of those, Stop doing that, Ian! Top 3 for me are Moonraker, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, From Russia with Love. Cheers 👍

[@spectacularspider-man4886]

Thank you for this. I will read your top 5. I would read Casino Royale too, but after watching the movie (which I loved) I don't think it's necessary.

[@TheKeesBoerMinistryChannel]

Greetings from Cochabamba, Bolivia. Very good review. I'm looking forward to you reviewing the other continuation novels. I read all of them, but I haven't read the very last one yet. Though I bought it about 8 months ago. I have so much other reading to do. :-)

[@usedscar]

I recently started reading the Bond books. I find Flemming's craft of language at times very striking. There is a sense of urgency about the living of life which informs Bond perfectly. I went through the Specter books first. Now on The Man With the Golden Gun. One thing that has been a pleasent surprise is how darn companionate Bond can be. For example when he showed much kindness to Tiffy, feeding her birds and helping her after their abrupt demise. So far every novel has had something very worthwhile. Like Conan Doyle before him the creation has vastly eclipsed the creator. Both authors have a real talent for discription and turn of phrase that has been unacknowledged. Bravo Mr Flemming. He would have been knighted had he lived longer. I am looking forward to Moodraker now!

[@seanoduor7768]

Have you noticed that the books that he rated lower were mostly acted by Roger Moore ( RIP )

[@marcoparada6652]

Interesting

[@toptrollking]

Totally agree on YOLT - it was very exciting, such a great ending and loved Kissi (though I imagined Aki actress) - loved the castle garden of death infiltration and how bond is dying for a smoke

[@erikbohlin1006]

Thanks for the tips. I never read any of them, but I intend to do that now!

[@timleatherbarrow3833]

The short stories including quantum gave a wonderful insight to Bonds character....Quantum for instance his impatience and temper ease as the story hes listening to goes on.

[@LordMelbury1953]

Diamonds are Forever because I loved the Train scene to.... Specterville the old west town. Pity that was never filmed.

[@davidjames579]

Could still be, knowing how much they like to still poach un-used stuff. That said, It reminds me a little of Scarmanga's fun house, in the villain having his own fake reality.

[@markreeter6227]

David James Right - the funhouse scene in the movie is an homage of sorts to Spectreville of the novel. The funhouse more directly relates to Scaramanga’s childhood growing up in a traveling circus (stated in the movie but not the novel).

[@paulpatterson3514]

Good video once again. I'm up for re-reading the novels all of a sudden. Calvin, as an idea for a new video, how about presenting all the films or books (or both) in a chronological/timeline order of how the events happened, either dead certs like Casino Royale (the first) down to where his marriage with Tracy fits in and where he becomes old and obviously past it like A View To A Kill etc, etc?? Any thoughts?

[@thebadfella5296]

My list based on the ones I've read: 10. Diamonds Are Forever 9. For Your Eyes Only 8. Live And Let Die 7. Goldfinger 6. The Spy Who Loved Me [I actually loved this one] 5. Thunderball 4. Casino Royale 3. From Russia With Love 2. Dr. No 1. Moonraker

[@EthanKnight97]

My Ranking (excluding short story collections) 1. From Russia with Love 2. Moonraker 3. Casino Royale 4. Dr.No 5. Goldfinger 6. Thunderball 7. OHMSS 8. You Only Live Twice 9. Live and Let Die 10 Diamonds Are Forever 11. The Man with the Golden Gun 12. The Spy Who Loved Me. Apart from TSWLM I do enjoy all of them. Just to let you Calvin you haven't quite earned your Fleming degree yet, as Anthony Horowitz's Bond books Trigger Mortis and Forever and a Day has previously unseen Fleming material Murder on Wheels and Russian Roulette. I look forward to your reviews of the John Gardner era

[@jamesturner4683]

Quantum of Solace is one my favourite stories. I guess I just like imagining myself in the world of drinks with the Bermuda governor and the Harvey Millers.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

💯 agreed It's actually some of Fleming's best work imo

[@davidbanan.]

ahh yes, the bond books of all time Inception Unitive Twice Permission Wed Love and of course DR N O A H

[@NickSiegelMusic]

Great review. Well done.

[@Marklovesdrama]

A really entertaining video. I must give the books a try.

[@loducawarrior]

Great stuff. Agree with your top three especially.

[@picasso114]

Moonraker's my favorite, too. Completely agree.